Effect of Mo and Co additions on the microstructure and properties of WC-TiC-Ni cemented carbides

In this work, the effects of 1.0 wt.% additions of Mo and Co on the microstructure and properties of WC-TiC-Ni cemented carbides were investigated using scanning electron microscope, mechanical properties tests, corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance tests. The results show that 1.0 wt.% Mo addition can refine the WC grains and increase the hardness. Moreover, with the addition of minor Mo, the corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance of alloys improved significantly. The addition of 1.0 wt.% Co can inhibit the growth of WC grains, improve the density and hardness slightly, and enhance the abrasion resistance of cemented carbides. However, the minor Co has negative effect for the corrosion resistance.

► The authors first reported the effects of a small amount of Mo and Co on the corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance properties of WC-TiC-Ni alloys.
► The research results show that the addition of minor Mo can refine the WC grains, increase the hardness and improve the corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance of the WC-TiC-Ni hardmetals significantly.
► The corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance of the WC-TiC-Ni alloy with 1.0 wt.% Mo are superior to those of WC-Co cemented carbides significantly.